Spring has sprung here in Hunterdon, NJ! Here are some local events and creative activities that are sure to bring awareness to Earth Day and keep families engaged and having fun. Check out some recommendations below.
Local events:
- Earth Day Festival at Deer Path Park (April 5th)
Hosted by Hunterdon County Parks, join the special festival planned with fun activities and learnings: from tree planting and storytelling, to games, farm fun, creative recycled crafts, and more!
More here. - Celebrate National Dandelion Day at the Watershed Institute (April 5th)
For ages 6+. How much has the weather or climate have affected our wild green friends? The under-rated, unloved dandelion has things to tell and show us. Activity will include hiking around fields to discover what spring has brought us.
More here. - Tot Walk - Caring for the Earth
Discover nature at your local park! Walk to learn about the nature around us. The group will also do a story and craft on the same theme. Cost is $10.
Register here.
Creative activities:
- Fairy garden: Spare cardboard lying around? Make a cute, cut out fairy garden! Have your child paint flowers, put together a small fairy hut, and add a walkway with cut outs. Integrate the outdoors by going on a scavenger hunt for magical fairy garden things: fresh bloomed spring flowers, leftover acorns, new and old leaves, pinecones, sticks - you name it!
- Plant your own mini garden: Hop over to your nursery (or a plant swap, if your town has one!) and grab some seedlings, soil, and a small garden shovel. Fill a box with soil, grab your egg carton, and don’t be afraid to get too dirty! After the seeds are planted, get a little messy, and have your little one add some water. Place in sunlight, and children can watch their creation grow!
- Outdoor scavenger hunt: Not loving how your yard looks as spring turns the corner? Create a scavenger hunt and find plants and blooms that pollinators love. How many yellow or purple flowers do you see? Can you spot a pinecone? Which tree has the most leaves bloomed? You may come to find beauty in the mess, and it’s always great to leave your yard as long as you can to help our pollinators thrive!
- Pinecone troll: Collect your pinecones and acorns, and scavenge your craft corner for spare decorations: pipe cleaners, yarn, glue, glitter! Glue an acorn on top of the pinecone, add something in for the hair (don’t forget the acorn’s “hat”), add some fun decorations - and you’ve got a little troll! Or fairy. Or pinecone monster depending on how it turns out!
- Recycle crayon melt: A bunch of broken crayons around your house? Use a muffin in or silicone mold, break the crayon into little pieces, and fill as many molds as you can. Pop them in the preheated oven at about 250 degrees for 7-15 minutes, and let them cool completely before popping them out of their mold. (You could also pop these into Easter baskets!)
Have an Earth Day event or activity to share? Email kaleighd@macaronikid.com to be added to this list!
